Corrie's Tony Maudsley signs new contract with ITV soap

'Coronation Street' star Tony Maudsley has signed a new contract with the ITV soap.

The actor plays undertaker George Shuttleworth, the love interest of Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver), on the long-running show and he'll be continuing in the role until "at least July 2024".

He tweeted: "I only told her I'd signed a new contract and this is what happens! I thought she'd be pleased!

"That's George keeping Eyelash on her toes until at least July 2024, and I couldn't be happier."

Tony, who first joined the soap in 2020, previously admitted he hopes that his character doesn't get killed off.

He said in 2021: "They can't get rid of George, as there would be no one to bury him!

"I hope that doesn't happen in the near future, as I'm happy on 'Corrie'. And fans are saying it's nice to see Eileen smiling again. I think George is good for her!"

Tony revealed that he is hopeful that his alter ego ties the knot with Eileen but admits that he has visions of the ceremony going "horribly wrong".

The former 'Benidorm' star said: "I have visions of it all going horribly wrong, though, with Eileen arriving at the church in a big white dress on the back of a hearse! If they do get married, I hope it's not a quiet registry office do. Let's go big and put Sue in a huge meringue."

Tony says that he and Sue are rooting for their characters to get married and that fans hope the pair can emulate iconic Weatherfield couple, Jack and Vera Duckworth.

He added: "I tweeted a picture of us the other day from our camping trip and the picture has had nearly 3,000 likes with so many lovely comments. People say that they want George and Eileen to be the new Jack and Vera, which is the biggest compliment. Those characters were so special and so brilliant."